Preparing my students for the demands of the 21st century involves more than touchscreens and tablets -- it involves encouraging inquiry, independence and imagination. Books taught me about all of those things. Will you join me in giving that to my students, too?
My students, language learners, love to read books in the classroom.
Worlds open up to them here, limited only by their imaginations. For many of them, unfortunately, these worlds and possibilities are constrained to the classroom because of a lack of books at home.
My students are learners of varying English language proficiency, cultural and linguistic background, and age (K-5). They come from families that value hard work and perseverance. In the classroom, they are largely students that love to learn, finding joy in the discovery of new ideas and the discussion of characters and stories both familiar and strange.
They are also students who have a great need: their opportunities to experience the world are often limited by financial and logistical constraints on their families. They are diverse and enthusiastic and desire more chances to explore the world, real and imagined, through reading.
My Project
In a world that is increasingly dominated by shiny gadgets and technological marvels, it's easy to forget the importance of books. Real, hold-in-your-hand, stay-up-in-your-bed-with-a-flashlight, curl-up-on-the-couch, books.
To facilitate increased opportunities to read at home, I am seeking to purchase a library from which to lend books to students. It is imperative that books match students' reading ability -- not so easy that they become boring, but also not so challenging that the child become frustrated and gives up. I am choosing a set of books that align with the Fountas and Pinnell benchmark system (used throughout our school district to measure reading level) to ensure that each child will be able to choose from books that provide a "good fit" in complexity and vocabulary.
Additionally, initiatives such as the Common Core for State Standards emphasize and increase in non-fiction text to increase students' capacity to succeed in academic and professional settings.
I have intentionally chosen a mixture of fiction and non-fiction titles to provide a balanced selection of texts that will both engage and prepare students for the demands ahead.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Wheatley-Heckman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.